Glenda Arentzen

Glenda Arentzen is an important American studio goldsmith whose work continues to address and define jewelry-as-art. From her earliest designs, Arentzen has explored the expressive potential of traditional jewelry materials – including silver, gold, enamel and gemstones – to create very personal one-of-a-kind jewels. There is an immediacy and intensity to Arentzen’s work that raises it above the level of good jewelry design to that of art-in-metal. It is this sense of the artist’s touch as though each jewel had just left her hands that has appealed so strongly to Arentzen’s collectors over the years.

Ms. Arentzen sculpts many of her designs in wax, casting by the lost wax method. She also works directly in the metal, fabricating brooches, earrings and necklaces. When working in gold, the artist often combines different colors – yellow, rose, green and white- to create the varied patterns and textures that are a hallmark of her style.

Glenda Arentzen’s achievements have been recognized by both the art community and the jewelry industry over the years. She is a three-time winner of the Diamonds International Competition, sponsored by DeBeers, and a member of its Academy. Her designs for pearls have been honored twice by the Cultured Pearl Association. Her work is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Art & Design.